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David Blythe (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 01:14 pm: | 
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Who here duck hunts out of an Argo or Max? What blind do you use to cover it? What trailer do you use to transport your gear? Do you have any cutom racks? Any other tips on duck hunting in a Max or Argo would be great. Thanks for the help. |
David Blythe (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 02:10 pm: |
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Here are the products I've found:
Doggy Dock: http://www.navstore.com/doggy_dock.asp
Mobile Duck Blind: http://www.artshorseshoeart.com/mobile_duck_blind.htm
Duck Baskets:
http://www.watkins.argoatv.com/dealers/usedProducts.asp?UID=70&Archive=
Argo Duck Blind: http://6x6atv.com/photogallery//Picture%20101.jpg |
Jerry Nuss (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 02:15 pm: |
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You may want to contact Mike at Argo Direct tel. # 618-588-4444. He is a big duck hunter and sells Argo to local duck hunters. He makes a lot of duck hunting specific accessories like blinds and trailers for the Argo. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 05:29 pm: |
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I've used my 8x8 Response for duck hunting this year, but mostly just getting me out to the Islands where we hunt or down to river a ways, have never hunted out of the ARGO. I did however put a front and rear rack on. The front one is up from and anchored to the brush guard and the rear one attached to the hitch. Both bought at Cabela's, and work great. I also have two gun mounts over the engine prortion. Leave lots more room for the dog and others. |
Big Wolf (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 07:11 pm: |
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David,
I do not think that you would like the Max IV for the purpose of duck hunting in the ATV. For one I do not think there is enough room for carrying you the dog a hunting buddy and your equipment. You would have to customize it and add cargo baskets just to fit every thing and every one inside. The other thing is I do not think the Max IV is stable enough in water for that much load and moving around inside. I do not get a real comfortable feeling floating around in my Max IV. I do not think it would roll over in the water with just one or two guys on board, but when you add all the other stuff and gear for hunting, then it would be a major stability question mark. If you added a pair of floatation pontoons on each side then it would be just fine.
If you ask me, I would choose the Argo Avenger for your specific application. It will be much more stable with the added length and the two additional wheels. |
David Blythe (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 11:07 pm: |
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Thanks for the help. I was afraid the Max IV would not be stable enough in open water. I really like the speed of the Max in the water and the price for the top of the line Max IV ($8770) is almost too good to pass up on. The Argo Avenger 8x8 just has so much space in the back that seems like it would be perfect to hunt out of. Can anyone comment on the stability of an Argo 8x8 with 2 people hunting out of the back. |
Big Wolf (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 09:29 am: |
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The Max IV is a nice machine and that price you posted is a real good deal also. I have tried out my Max IV in my buddies pond with one other person on board in the back seat, and also two other people on board in the back seat. The front seat is really only good for one person the driver. The stick are located on the center line of the machine and front seat, so it the comfrtable to drive seated in the center.
It enters and exits the water great including steep inclines. When you are in the deep water floating and driving around, you get the distinct feeling that you and the passengers need to keep your wieght disrtibution centered as much as possible. You tend to get that bobbing and rolling side to side feeling, and also front to back.
Again I definately recommend that you go with a bigger machine than the Max IV for you purpose. You do not want to play around with your safety, and you do not want to feel uncomfortable while out on the water. This is a case where spending some more money to go bigger is the better way to go. You may even find that adding a couple of floatation aids and stabilizers to the bigger Argo Avenger, may provide even a higher safety factor, and even more stability also.
I would hate to go afield with the feeling that I am out gunned, under powered, or lacking enough boat to get the job done. |
David Blythe (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 01:20 pm: |
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Thanks for the help guys. This definitly helps me narrow down my options. Now I just need to decide between the Avenger 8x8 or Conquest 8x8. |
Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 10:39 am: |
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David, In defense of the max IV in the water. I agree with Big wolf that it FEELS a little unstable. At least the first few times in the water. You do need to think about keeping your load balanced, but the Max machines float very well. Yes, they bob like a cork. I'm a tall skinny guy and have long legs. I stand and move from front to back with out a worry (I also have tried to get a max (both IIs and IVs) to take on water by rocking it side to side and I have never been able to get any water inside (part of that, I am sure, is that your mind will only let you go so far if you really don't want to go in the water).
I know they will roll as I have a customer who's brother had a passenger that didn't like the feel in the water and was getting out! Neither one was very Max literate. As the exiter grabbed the top of roll cage, the driver reached over to grab him and pull him back in - with both of them on one side, it dumped them both in the river. I'd like to add here that the owner had made a carrier on top of his roll cage that raised the center of gravity. I know he carried his duck decoys up there but I don't know how much other stuff was up there. Some alterations some make to their machines contribute to their problems when they do something wrong.
With that said, I still feel the Max is a viable water vehicle. Yes, you need to be balanced and you need to use common sense, but it won't roll anywhere near as easy as a canoe. It will not tip front to back and one can pull a person in over the front (I have never tried to get in an empty max in the water from the front or the side, but I think it can be done. Yes, the Argo 8x8 is longer and wider, but the design is the same. Part of the reason it feels more stable (if in fact it does) is that it is heavier and rides lower in the water.
It would be very easy to prepare a platform that would float and connect to the back seat area for your dog to get back in from (like the dog dock you showed).
I have used Max in lots of different water conditions and I feel quite comfortable. I am not a water person and I stay close to shore. I most always wear a life vest. A new max owner needs to start out in calm water and get your "sea legs". Using a max in water is just like using one on land in that it takes a while to get the "feel" of things and know what to do. No, they are not a boat, but very capable and if used properly , safe.
I also think that anyone who is uncomfortable in a small water vessel should consider putting pontoons on their skid steer. |
Big Wolf (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 02:51 pm: |
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Well spoken Fred, I can concur with what you have written here. Just to touch on and beat the added pontton thing to death a little more. If I were to do any kind of extensive open water usage, I would absoulutely add a pair of floatation stabilizer pontoons on each side, even if they were a small pair. They do this with canoe's to eliminate the hazard of tipping side to side, and it does make a canoe feel like you are walking around on a pontoon boat.
Good luck and enjoy making your selection, what ever you decide will be a good choice. Both of those Argo's are nice machines.
P.S. I would go for Avenger, you will love the bigger tires and added ground clearance, more horse power, and some of the latest features of that machine. Go for the gusto man! |
Tom Phillips
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 02:57 pm: |
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Trying to post some pictures of my ARGO Response with the front and rear baskets, \attach {argo pictures} |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 04:23 pm: |
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try it again |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 05:39 pm: |
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Rogersmith
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 07:01 pm: |
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Tom, try it without a space between attach and the { |
Tom Phillips
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 09:50 am: |
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Tom Phillips
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 03:46 pm: |
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Hey guys: Finally figured out how to add the pictures, but how does one downsize them to fit, meaning Kilobytes?? |
Brett Bonner
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 11:53 am: |
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My MaxIV-600T was purchased for Duck hunting. It's a great vehical. I have used it for:
1. Transportation to and from pits with 4 buddies, gear and dog in people laps,
2. Floating in the trees while the hunters wade and the dog in the Max with some cammo,
3. Custom built collapsable blind and hunting out of the Max. One person and a dog, or two people is about the limit here when floating.
These are the things I have learned:
The issue with a blind is it catches on just about everything. It is better just to keep the blind material in a bag until you get there. To that end, I am just going to build a non collapseable, but convertable, blind next year that when you arrive, you apply the camo. I will also be adding a clamp-on exhaust extension to go below the water line for additional muffling.
For floating, the water has to be deep enough and snag free enough to use the trolling motor. Under the best of circumstances it has at least 18 inches more draft than a small jon boat. This is significant. The worse condition is when you are not quite on the bottom to use the wheels and just shallow enough not to float. If you are bouncing along the bottom, it kind of sucks. In that case, you are making lots of noise with the engine. We do use the engine sometimes as it will get up the ducks (good and bad)!
If you balance it out (heavy guys on the right to offset the engine weight), then it is safe with 3 guys (my opinion only) in slightly moving water). If the water is moving very fast at all, the dog swim, the decoys are floated and towed in the bag, and the EXPERIENCED passengers are kept nice and dry. Under specific conditions - known water and known ingress and egress points, my opinion is it is safe with 4 EXPERIENCED passengers.
My definition of an experienced passenger is one that has been in the max, bobbed it around, and been reassured that it is not going to flip if they don't start moving around. That said, it has flipped once in the water in an overloaded condition, with a panic stricken passenter that when we took on a little water (my fault, the driver, climbing on to shore and slipping off a steep bank). It wasn't the Max's fault in any way - purely the captain's (my) negligence. It definately floats, when capsized, wheels up.
The non-collapsible, convertable blind will serve several purposes. First - as a duck blind. Second, as a decoy carrier. Finally, by flipping the decoy bags under the carrier, it will be used a pontoons. I really don't think I need this, but if I can accomodate it with little effort, I will.
It is REALLY great when the ducks are landing, but not where you are. Pack up and go to where the ducks are!
And one last note. A dog is considerably less utility when you have a Max to retrieve the birds! Easy to fire up and go get the birds! |
ej warden (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 08:34 pm: |
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While I have a flat bottom jon boat with a 7.5 mercury, its much more fun to duck hunt in the Attex. Check out the pic. 
See you at CopperRidge.
E.J. |
fred sain (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 10:31 am: |
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As usual Sowerwine could not post without taking a pot shot at the Argo. The 8 wheel Argo will float FOUR Adults in waders,with guns,amo,and their misc stuff. I have done it for TEN YEARS. Many times every duck season. If you will half-way balance your weight, it will swim and steer better. But it does float very well. That is proably because it is so heavy! OR NOT!!! |
Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 12:33 pm: |
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Fred Sain, Of course I always take pot shots at the Argo - it is such an easy target! If you will read the post I was responding to, I was trying to counter an opinion that was not 100% fair to the Max machines. Many Max are used for duck hunting and it is my opinion that the Max is superior to the Argo as a water vehicle just as it is as a land vehicle. I'm not saying the Argo doesn't work in the water, I'm just saying that the max usually is a better choice because it has faster water speed and handles the steep banks better. The most important thing that new owners need to know is that our skid steers are not boats and one has to learn how to handle them in the water. The suspected stability issue is because of the design of the body and all skid steers have the same issues. I'm sure you advise your customers to take it slow and easy the first time or two in the water and I bet you don't encourage them to go shooting down a 45 degree bank into the deep water at 10 MPH (actually how should an Agro enter the water coming down a steep bank?). |
JHOG (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 02:16 pm: |
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And, as usual, Sain could not post without taking a shot at Sowerwine. And on it goes. I guess thats what makes it a horse race. I don't own Max or Argo, but I will have one or the other soon. I've test driven one of each, both older models ('96 6x6 Vanguard, '99 Max IV). From this I found that the Argo was easier to drive and that the Max was faster (16hp Argo vs 18hp Max), but more cramped for legroom. Looks like it would be pretty easy to move the seat back a couple inches. I had a harder time getting used to the steering in the Max. Both apparently float well. The Max owner bought his to access the Pearl river swamps in south Louisiana
with his hunting buddies. According to him it worked well with 4 passengers and the only problem he ever had was running into cypress knees. I observed the Argo crossing a fast current bayou with two up last hunting season and it looked pretty tippy. Could have been the small tires. |
JHOG (Unregistered Guest)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 03:26 pm: |
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test |
Rogersmith
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 07:53 pm: |
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The Avenger is easily the most stable in water. My older 8 wheeler with large tires is a close second. They're wider and longer than anything else. I've sat on the edge and rocked it hard, couldn't get it to do anything.. Went swimming once with the cargo area full of limestone rock. The front end was way higher than the back. I guess the front heavy argo was back heavy. If you want to haul on land or water, a high center of gravity max IV can't match an argo 8. The max IV is a faster swimmer on water and in the mudholes than the Avenger with Rawhide III's. Neither one of them is as much fun as a high HP max II after a beer.
Having all the weight forward has advanvages sometimes. I backed out of a ledged water hole easier than my friends max IV 26" tires could climb out. |
terry harrison
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 09:22 pm: |
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i use my max iv to duck hunt. after adding a rear rack large enough to carry everything, the center of gravity raised too high for comfort. i had to add pontoons to both sides and the back. with my hunting buddy sitting in the back seat and the rack loaded i can walk around the outside of the max now without tipping low enough to take water. if i wanted i could use it for a blind but i dont have a dog and it would be a pain to retrieve ducks. we wade hunt anyway.
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Anonymous
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Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 05:02 pm: |
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terry harrison
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 11:47 am: |
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how do you steer the outboard motor? jump in the back seat? |
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